What a sweet Christmas book.

Two good friends - Pete, the local pastor, and Hank, a bartender - switch places the week before Christmas. Each feels like the other has it easier, so they decide to switch for a week - they find out that it's more difficult than they thought. What ensues is a heartwarming and sometimes funny story.

Macomber knows how to tug the heartstrings.

Debbie Macomber is one of my go to authors. Her Christmas books are short, easy reads and leave you feeling warm and cozy. A grandmother is telling her grandchildren a love story.

Two best friends, a bartender and a pastor switch jobs for a week before Christmas. How she incorporates the characters, a motorcycle gang, a waitress from a strip club and strippers into the story leaves a smile on your face.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC copy.

I’m a huge fan of Debbie Macomber and her Christmas books never disappoint! The Christmas Spirit was probably one of my favorite from her Christmas books collection. Simple, short, easy read. All of the characters were relatable and the storyline of a Pastor and Bar Owner swapping spots was amazing. Definitely would recommend if you are looking for an easy read to get you into the Christmas Spirit.

Thank you Debbie Macomber, Ballantine Books, and Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Pete and Hank are best friends, but they lead very different lives. Pete is a pastor, and Hank owns a bar. They meet up for lunch to catch up at Mom's Place routinely, this time was no different, except both were running late, which surprised Hank because Pete was always on time. They talked about their work schedules, and each thought the other had it easy, so they decided to trade places a week before Christmas. The antic that follows will have you laughing or cringing a bit. It is a very good Christmas story. With reminders of what Christmas really means. It does not hurt the mood that both Pete and Hank find romance while trying to fill the other's shoes for a week. I loved this book and will look for more of Debbie Macomber's Christmas books.

I look forward to reading one of Debbie Macomber's Christmas books each Christmas season. I was happy to be able to start early in July this year. Debbie writes clean and touching novels. I didn't find this to be her usual type of story. Parts I found quit unbelievable and more like the fairy-tale her grand kids had asked for. It does contain a lot of fun and levity, which I truly enjoyed.
I want to thank Ballantine Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions expressed in this review are totally my own.

THANK YOU Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC! Debbie Macomber delivered another AMAZING Christmas novel. Set between the 1970s and currently this story tells the tale of two long term friends who trade jobs for a short time during the holiday season. This novel not only is filled with love and respect that friends have towards one another, it is filled with the importance of working on understanding what others go through, and meeting people where they are. I absolutely loved this novel and will definitely try to find a copy once released to read again before Christmas! I read this in one sitting, cuddled up with a cozy blanket. Definitely a feel good read.

I enjoy all of Debbie Macomber’s books. This Christmas story was a really quick and fun read. I liked how the story switched between the past and the present time. If you’re looking for a quick Christmas story, then get this book.

Best friends since high school, Hank and Pete live very different lives but still meet for lunch. When they decide to trade jobs the week before Christmas, both think the other exaggerates about how hard their job is. Hank owns a tavern and Pete is the pastor of a local church. Needless to say, hilarity ensues, culminating in a Christmas Eve service no one in town will ever forget. They learn to walk a mile (or two) in someone’s shoes before judging them and you just never know where you’ll find your soul mate.

As always Debbie Macomber expertly uses humor to promote Christian values.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Yep

Debbie Macomber always comes through when it comes to a well-written, fun, fast Christmas read. The Christmas Spirit was no different. I read this book so fast I didn't even realize I was almost at the end because it flowed so well.

Nana tells her grandkids a story about two friends, Hank and Peter, who both think their job is harder. They decide to trade places for a week right before Christmas. They will do each other's job for a week to learn what each job entails.

Peter is a pastor and running a church on a shoestring. Hank is a tavern owner who runs it alone, working too many hours. Neither sees the behind-the-scenes trials each job has until they switch places. Because of their trade, they each meet a woman they otherwise may not have and fall in love.

The ending is cute, but I won't post it here other than to say this book isn't just about a pastor and a tavern owner. It's about learning what the Christmas spirit is, what it's about, and how we each can find within ourselves to 'do what Jesus would do' not just at Christmas but every day. It's not preachy or judgmental but written in Debbie's gentle hand with her strong faith behind the pen. It was nice to read some of my same beliefs about the church and the faith and feel validated that doing what Jesus would do, doesn't always mean doing it from a pew. If you love Debbi's Christmas stories, you'll love this one for its simplicity, love, joy, and positive message of what Christmas is truly about.

An enjoyable, fast paced read that will get you in the mood for Christmas!

I enjoyed the characters and how they developed throughout this short story. I also enjoyed the 2 timelines.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy of this book!

I've come to expect perfection from Debbie Macomber, and once again she delivered! 'The Christmas Spirit' is a story shared in an engaging and delightful manner to children. The message is one of great love and redemption and is truly filled with the Christmas spirit. I can't recommend it highly enough for the warmth and good feelings we can expect both from the Christmas holidays and the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Debbie Macomber’s holiday books are my favorite! There is nothing better than curling up with a cozy blanket, a warm mug, and one of her books. The Christmas Spirit has great characters, a charming plot, and an ending that had me in tears. I loved it!!

I know Ms. Macomber always does a stellar job with her Christmas books but wow did she hit this one out of the park. This is a story within a somewhat story. Two grandchildren Lily and Lance go to visit their grandmother one day. We learn that when they visit she often tells them a story usually fairytale but this time she tells them this story is not a fairytale and its base on truths.
The story is set in the early 70's so we are getting a romance with a historical twist. As the grandmother shares the story we meet Peter and Hank two best friends since high school, both are so polar opposites of each other. Hank runs a bar and Peter or Pete as he's called is a pastor. One day while they both have lunch talking about their lives and perspective jobs each guy thinks the other has it easy and of course they both disagree with that they then decide to switch places for a few days that leads up to Christmas and what happens in a little mayhem ensue and them both finding love where least expected. Love the storyline and the lessen that was depicted that we should never judge others we all are raised differently and varied circumstances. Giving arc by netgalley.

Another great story by Debbie Macomber. This story is about friendship and how friends are there for each other. It shows that even people who are rough around the edges come together celebrate Christmas and everyone become friends even the unlikely.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am a fan of Debbie Macomb and this is one of my most favorite stories that she has written. It is just in time for the holidays and is the story of a grandmother telling bedtime stories to her adorable grandchildren. I love the premise of two male best friends swapping jobs for a week. They have to deal with the problems of someone else instead of their own. One is a pastor and the other owns a bar. Each thinks the other has a cushy job and they learn as they walk in the other shoes that each has a unique set of problems. I love the way Debbie develops each of the many characters and even the animals are characters on their own. If this does not help you have a great sense off the holiday spirit I will be amazed. I highly recommend this book for any age group. Grab a cup of tea, cocoa or coffee and settle in to a great read.

I absolutely loved this book! It's probably one of Debbie Macomber's best Christmas books since Mrs Miracle.. The main two characters are men and this was refreshing. In many ways The Christmas Spirit has all the charm of Macomber's holiday books. Wonderful characters, situations that are funny and tender at the same time but this time Macomber throws in a twist. How can a bartender run a church at Christmas? Probably as smoothly as a pastor can run a bar!
I voluntary received a copy of this book from Netgalley.

The Christmas Spirit is a sweet, wonderful little story about two best friends trading jobs for a few days before Christmas. One is a bartender, the other a pastor. It is an eye-opener for each of them as they learn how difficult each job is. There is some romance involved, of course, and many lessons about acceptance of everyone. It was a quick read, and I loved every minute of it!

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect book to snuggle up with on any day.

It is never too early for a Christmas book! And I am always up for a good SWAP book! Peter, a small town pastor, and Hank, a bartender, decide to switch jobs during the Christmas season. They are surprised to find there are quite a few things their jobs have in common!

I enjoyed this book from the beginning. I love anything that gives the Hallmark vibe and I think this book does. I don't often read book with 2 male main characters but this one worked for me. It was a sweet escape - just as i suspected it would be.

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. So much so that I also like to do a little celebrating for Christmas in July! Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group gave me the gift of allowing me to read an ARC of Debbie Macomber's new Christmas story "The Christmas Spirit", due to be released October 18, 2022. This beautiful and wholesome story left me feeling all fuzzy inside and joyously awaiting the holidays.

Hank and Peter have been best friends since high school, when they were both on the track team. Their lives have gone in separate directions since then, but they still meet up regularly to fill each other in on their lives. Hank is overly worked and constantly stressed, running the bar he inherited from his father. Peter is equally stressed out as pastor of a local church, focused on the upcoming Christmas service and live nativity, and a roof that is in badly need of repairs but with no funds to fix it. Each thinks the other has much easier job, that is until they decide to swap for a week. Hank and Pete soon discover that their jobs aren't as different as they initially thought. Over the course of the week, both make new friends, find a new appreciation for the other's difficult job, and even discover love along the way.

This was such a sweet story that reminds you that everyone has their own struggles and that you should never judge people without getting to know them. It is the perfect christmas story to get you in the mood for giving and helping others.